2008 Subaru Forester Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 1about this part
- Share
- 2%of 50 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 50,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 1 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2008 Subaru Forester, 2% of the 50 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“We purchased a Subaru Forester 2008 in the fall of 2007. At about 4 years, or 40,000 miles the plastic headlight lenses fogged over, reducing light output and dispersing, not focusing the headlight beam making it difficult to see the road at night. My husband spent time using plastic polish to remove the apparent fog on the plastic-headlight cover. At this point the lenses were clear and un-fogged. After less than two months the fog on the plastic-headlight lens reappeared. I believe this to be a manufacturer's defect. …”
NHTSA complaint #10485893, filed 2012-11, 50,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11012260Dec 13, 2024This bulletin is for information purposes only.The bulletin adresses design changes of the headlamps and rear combination lamps, where moisture and or condensation may develop on…
- 10130273Jan 26, 2018This bulletin provides a measurement and adjustment procedure for the stop lamp switch. An improperly adjusted (or faulty) stop lamp switch can cause any of the DTCs listed above…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 3% |
| 2025 | 8 | 8% |
| 2024 | 2 | 6% |
| 2023 | 4 | 5% |
| 2022 | 8 | 8% |
| 2021 | 1 | 0% |
| 2020 | 3 | 1% |
| 2019 | 2 | 0% |
| 2018 | 2 | 0% |
| 2017 | 4 | 1% |
| 2016 | 6 | 1% |
| 2015 | 15 | 2% |
| 2014 | 10 | 2% |
| 2013 | 4 | 5% |
| 2012 | 1 | 1% |
| 2011 | 4 | 3% |
| 2010 | 3 | 1% |
| 2009 | 4 | 2% |
| 2008 | 1 | 2% |
| 2007 | 3 | 4% |
| 2006 | 4 | 5% |
| 2001 | 6 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2008 Subaru Forester
11 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaintsEngine
7 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsElectrical system
5 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Subaru Forester
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology